ISIS Never Really Disappeared, Just Lurked in the Shadows

September 13, 2024 TruthUSA

Commentary

In the aftermath of another thwarted ISIS-inspired terrorist plot, this time involving a Canada-based Pakistani individual attempting to target Jews in New York on the anniversary of a previous attack in Israel, the common narrative is that “ISIS is back.”

However, this assessment is inaccurate.

In order for something to “come back,” it must have first departed. In the case of the ISIS terrorist group, it never truly disappeared in the first place.

The group has been active since the mid-2010s, evolving from its origins as an al-Qaeda affiliate known as Al-Qaeda in Iraq. Interestingly, even al-Qaeda distanced itself from ISIS due to its extreme violence.

ISIS established a self-proclaimed caliphate across parts of Iraq, Syria, and Kurdish territories, perpetrating horrific crimes over several years, including beheadings, drownings, burnings, mass executions, sexual slavery, and human trafficking. The group also attempted genocide against the Yazidi religious community, labeling them as “devil worshippers.”

Thanks to efforts by the United States and its allies, the caliphate was dismantled by 2019, with many celebrating the defeat of these extremist militants.

However, ISIS did not cease its activities in Iraq and Syria, continuing to carry out attacks in both countries. Additionally, the group established numerous “provinces” in various regions, resulting in thousands of casualties. In many aspects, ISIS has exceeded al-Qaeda in terms of lethality, with ISIS-K or ISIS-Khorasan being a notable branch operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan, responsible for the attack on the Crocus City Hall music venue near Moscow in March.

Furthermore, individuals or small groups inspired by ISIS have carried out attacks, some of which were thwarted, in several European countries as well as a foiled plot targeting a Taylor Swift concert in Austria. There have also been reports of a potential ISIS-inspired incident in Ireland, a nation more accustomed to IRA-related threats.

Canada has not been exempt from ISIS-related threats, with instances such as the recent disrupted plot involving a Canada-based individual and past attacks in Scarborough and Edmonton in 2017. The RCMP arrested the Eldidi father-son duo for allegedly planning a mass casualty attack in Toronto, with the father previously featured in an ISIS video showcasing brutal acts. Intelligence cooperation with France played a crucial role in thwarting this threat.

The ongoing wave of ISIS attacks indicates a persistent threat that shows no signs of diminishing. The group continues to expand its presence, particularly in Africa, posing significant challenges for affected nations struggling to combat terrorism. The withdrawal of Western counter-terrorism forces in Mali and Niger, replaced by Russia’s Africa Corps (formerly the Wagner Group), is unlikely to stem the tide of attacks. Africa risks becoming a breeding ground for terrorism similar to Afghanistan’s role for al-Qaeda in the 1990s, posing a direct threat to Western nations.

The Canadian government must acknowledge and address this threat seriously, moving away from the notion that jihadi terrorism is a thing of the past superseded by right-wing extremism. Vigilance and diligence by immigration and border authorities are crucial to prevent ISIS operatives from gaining refugee or citizenship status.

Dismissing the ongoing threat of terrorism is a risky stance to take. While other security risks are on the rise, terrorism captures public attention like no other form of violence.

ISIS is likely to remain a top security concern for the foreseeable future. It never truly disappeared.

Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

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